Conductive brush for protecting a motor shaft bearing
An apparatus prevents electrical arcing between a motor including a rotating shaft and an associated bearing within a motor housing. A brush is formed of a conductive fabric for electrically connecting the rotating shaft to the motor housing. The conductive fabric may comprise randomly arranged or non-woven conductive fibers in contact or woven conductive fibers. The fabric may comprise a wool or felt. The apparatus may be applied to a fan. A related method is also disclosed.
1. An apparatus for preventing electrical arcing, comprising:
a motor including a rotating shaft and an associated bearing within a motor housing; and
a brush comprising a conductive fabric for electrically connecting the rotating shaft to the motor housing.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the brush comprises a conductive base connected to the conductive fabric.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , further including a conductive fastener for connecting the brush to the motor housing.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the conductive fabric comprises randomly arranged conductive fibers.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the conductive fabric comprises woven conductive fibers.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the conductive fabric comprises non-woven conductive fibers.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the conductive fabric comprises wool.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the conductive fabric is wool comprising copper.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the conductive fabric comprises a conductive felt.
10. A fan including the apparatus of claim 1 .
11. The fan of claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of fan blades connected to the rotatable shaft.
12. An apparatus, comprising:
a stationary part;
a rotating part; and
a brush including conductive fabric for electrically connecting the stationary part to the rotating part.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the stationary part comprises a housing and the rotating part comprises a motor shaft.
14. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the conductive fabric comprises woven conductive fibers.
15. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the conductive fabric comprises non-woven conductive fibers.
16. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the conductive fabric comprises wool.
17. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the conductive fabric is wool comprising copper.
18. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the conductive fabric comprises a conductive felt.
19. A method of preventing electrical arcing in a motor, comprising:
electrically connecting a rotating shaft with a stationary part of the motor using a brush comprising a conductive fabric.
20. The method of claim 19 , further including the step of connecting the rotating shaft to a plurality of fan blades.